Patient's question:
My baby has been particularly difficult to change diapers since birth and is prone to spitting up. Now I've noticed that my baby is a bit slow in reaction and is growing a bit slowly, and the urine has a bone-like odor. I took my baby to the hospital for a thorough examination and found out that my baby has phenylketonuria. I want to know the cost of treatment. What is the cost of treating phenylketonuria?Doctor's answer:
The earlier the treatment, the better. The baby is a 21-day-old newborn, and the main approach is a low-phenylalanine diet, primarily low-phenylalanine formula. Natural foods will be gradually introduced afterward. Breast milk contains relatively low levels of phenylalanine, so breastfeeding is essential. As the baby grows older, a low-protein, low-phenylalanine diet can be gradually provided. During this period, since different patients have varying levels of phenylalanine tolerance, blood phenylalanine concentration must be monitored regularly. If there is a deficiency of coenzyme tetrahydrobiopterin, oral medication is required. The cost of treatment varies depending on the specific method.